In March, 2009, then newly elected Governor of Peleliu Kangichi Uchau has asked Pres. Johnson Toribiong’s assistance to recover the 150,000 grant from the Turkish Government, stating that as the elected official serving the remainder of former Governor Ngiraingas’ term it was his position that the money be returned by Eldebechel era Ngarablod, a non-government organization (NGO) that applied for the grant, to the government.
The governor wanted to use the grant to renovate Peleliu’s Multipurpose Youth Gym instead of building a new facility.
The issue, however, has been resolved. According to Belhaim Sakuma, corporate secretary of Ocean View Consulting, Inc., who helped organize the project, “The proper procedure is like this. The grant has to go from the Turkish government to Palau government. Palau government will then turn it over to the NGO that applied for the grant.”
Sakuma added that the government does not control the grants, they just receive it, and it’s their job to turn it over to the proper recipient. “If the government got the grant and messed around with it and something went wrong, the NGO will be at fault.”
The solar-lighted gymnasium was built for the joint benefit of school and youth of Peleliu State.
According to former president and Chief Obaklechol Kuniwo Nakamura, the facility is 108-feet long, 58-feet wide and 28-feet high. “It can seat 150 people but can easily accommodate 400-500 persons. It can host basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton games.”
Nakamura said they just finished the partial phase. “The Eldebechel era Ngarablod is planning to build a walkway from the school to the gym as well as a water catchment system that can hold 25,000 gallons of water for the community,” he shared. He added that the facility has a big roof and when it rains a lot of water just go to waste.
The unveiling was attended by more than 400 people. “It was really amazing,” Sakuma shared. “I haven’t seen that many people in Peleliu.
Everybody was very excited about it.”
Senator and former president Tommy Remengasau, Jr. said in his speech said, “When it comes to children and sports, please do not involve politics. It will just ruin everything.”
